Seniors keep mentally fit at Timbers of Shorewood

But they're also enjoying the brand-new weekly brain games class, "brain push-ups, if you will," McCluskey said.

For 30 minutes to an hour each Wednesday in a group setting, attendees (which can be residents, caregivers, the community or any combination) work a variety of games: word searches, crossword puzzles, rebuses, word scrambles and ditloids.

This last, McCluskey said, is a puzzle one deduces from the numbers and letters in the clue. Example: 24HIAD. All of these games are help keep cognition sharp, McCluskey sid.
As with any exercise, the sessions begin with warmups.

"We start with simple ones [puzzles] and we work into harder ones," McCluskey said.
Although the concept of mental exercises and the importance of exercising one's mind isn't new, The Timbers program is unique because it brings these exercises into a social setting.

"We're working the puzzles together. No one sitting alone quietly," McCluskey said. "We have residents in their 70s, 80 and 90 and we have caregivers in their 30s and 40s doing them. I'm in my 50s and I'm doing them right alongside them."

)Above, Josephine Ardizzone listens to Linda McCluskey, director of activities, lead the "Academy for Seniors" at the Timbers of Shorewood Friday, June 08, 2018, in Shorewood).

When the games end, McCluskey often gives participants a crossword puzzle they can work on during the week. They're free to see McCluskey for the answers during the week or at the next session.

"We had one [crossword puzzle] that was all three-letter words," McCluskey said. "It was very difficult."

Music is another tool to help keep memory sharp, one reason why The Timbers offers so many music-related programs: ballroom dances, musical performers and the monthly "Music and Movement" class which works the lung, heart, and encourages reminiscing.

"Music is one of the biggest memory triggers there is," McCluskey said. "When the music plays, it's nice to see them sing along because they know every word."

Another focus on is the "Optimizing Brain Fitness." Instead of mental exercise, this discussion-based classes focuses on ways to foster and preserve brain health, Mc Cluskey said.

Linda McCluskey, director of activities, leads the "Academy for Seniors" at the Timbers of Shorewood Friday, June 08, 2018, in Shorewood, Ill.

"Optimzing Brain Fitness" is part of The Timbers new Academy program, which began in February and meets on Fridays. The other "class" is "The World Was Never the Same: Events that Changed History," which meets at noon each Monday.

Both classes will continue through June, with new sessions and topics beginning sometime in July, McCluskey said.

The Academy is similar to adult continuing education courses community colleges may offer, except instead of the residents traveling to the classes, the classes come to them, McCluskey said.

"We don't take attendance and you don't get homework," McCluskey said. "But we have thought-provoking conversation and dialogue. It makes you think of outside of the box."

Moses Williams, property manager for The Timbers of Shorewood, who created the Academy, said the idea derived from a summer program offfered at a sister senior living community.
The concept took off so well, two other communities – including The Timbers – created their own.

(Above, Wayne Winder, Rich Gruzanski and Rita Zboran during the "Academy for Seniors" at the Timbers of Shorewood Friday, June 08, 2018, in Shorewood, Ill.).

Williams, who said he's been in the senior living business for 25 years, feels seniors often lack stimulation for their minds and platforms to share their knowledge because imput from seniors is not always valued by others.

"This is just one of the things we do to keep seniors enaged," Williams said of the Acadmey program. "I'm hopeful lifelong learning will continue to enrich their lives."
McCluskewy said many people wrongly assume "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

"But that's not true," McCluskey said.
In fact, The Timbers helps seniors stay current with technology in its free weekly Tech Talk classes. People attend with their devices and the instructor explains how to use them.

"We go through how to set up voice mail, take a picture and send a text message," McCluskey said.

(Above, Stacy Jager music therapist sings during the Music and Movement class at the at The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community Thursday, August 10, 2017, in Shorwood, Ill.).

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The World Was Never the Same: Events that Changed History

WHEN: 2 p.m. Mondays through June

ETC: A discussion-based program, which continues through June. New topic begins in July. Part of The Timbers Academy program. Open to all older adults, age 55 and up. Free.

WHAT: Music and Movement

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month

ETC: Taught by musician and music therapist Stacy Jager, the class features gentle movement accompanied by live music. Jager plays a variety of instruments. Free and open to the public.

WHAT: Brain Games

WHEN: 10:30 Wednesdays

ETC: A variety of mental exercises worked on paper. Free and open to the public.

WHAT: Optimizing Brain Fitness

WHEN: 3 p.m. Fridays

ETC: A discussion-based program, which continues through June. New topic begins in July. Part of The Timbers Academy program. Open to all older adults, age 55 and up. Free.

WHAT: Tech Talk

WHEN: 11 p.m. Fridays

ETC: Bring your device and learn how to use its features. Free and open to the public.

All programs are held at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Road. The Timbers of
Shorewood offers more than 300 programs per month, according to its website.

For more information call 815-609-0669 or visit www.timbersofshorewood.com.

(Above, Stacy Jager music therapist sing along with Timbers of Shorewood residents Judy Kovic and Kathleen Stephens during the Music and Movement class at the at The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community Thursday, August 10, 2017, in Shorewood, Ill.).